The southwest monsoon, known locally as "habagat," brought heavy rain to parts of the Philippines on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026, according to GMA Network. The state weather bureau raised a red rainfall warning for Metro Manila, Bataan, and portions of three other provinces, as reported by Bombo Radyo News.
The red alert signals the most severe level of rainfall intensity, indicating serious flooding is likely in affected areas. The Philippine News Agency also noted that heavy rains were hitting parts of Luzon due to the monsoon system.
The wet weather was enhanced by a newly formed tropical depression named Neneng, according to a report from Rappler. That system strengthened the southwest monsoon, adding to the volume of rain falling across the region.
The Manila Times reported that Pagasa, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, raised alerts for Metro Manila and several provinces in Luzon ahead of the rainy Tuesday. The warnings were in place as the monsoon combined with the tropical depression's influence to produce widespread precipitation.
Residents in the affected areas were advised to monitor local weather updates and take precautions against possible flooding and related hazards. The rainfall warnings remained in effect as the weather system continued to move across the region.
Authorities are expected to provide further updates as the tropical depression and the enhanced monsoon develop through the day.
